Grow Cabbage: It's Delicious and Ornamental

Step 1

Prepare the Soil for Your Cabbage Plants

Step 2

Plant Cabbage Seed or Transplants

Step 3

Weed, Feed, and Water Your Cabbages

Step 4

Harvest Your Cabbage

The Vegetable that Looks as Good as It Tastes

Cabbage is a very versatile vegetable. There are early, midseason, and late varieties; round, flat, or savoy (crinkled) heads; and varying shades of green or red. In a flower bed, lush cabbage leaves contrast nicely with annuals or perennials. By planting a number of cabbage varieties, you can extend the growing season and provide for varied uses, from kraut to coleslaw.

Prepare the Soil for Your Cabbage Plants

Plant Cabbage Seed or Transplants

Start cabbage seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before the last frost, then set out the seedlings when they are 4-6 weeks old. Plant nursery-grown transplants 2 weeks before the average last frost date.

Weed, Feed, and Water Your Cabbages

Once your seedlings are established, water with a soaker hose to avoid wetting the foliage. Keeping the soil moist will help keep your cabbage heads from cracking. Feed with a water-soluble plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, twice a month until harvest. Weed carefully to avoid damaging the roots of your cabbage plants.

Harvest Your Cabbage

Cabbage is ready to harvest when the heads are tight, firm, and 4-10 inches in diameter. Cut the stem just below the head, using a sharp knife. Your cabbage will taste the best right after harvest, although you can store it for several months in cool, humid conditions.

Certain activities provided via the website may be covered by U.S. Patent No. 5,930,474

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